Hair care basics

Everybody dreams of a beautiful head of hair!

Here are a few basic hair care tips:

Wash care

Regular wash is essential to keep your scalp and hair clean and healthy. How often you should wash your hair depends on your scalp and hair types and your lifestyle!

For normal hair and scalp, a thorough shampoo wash once or twice a week is adequate. If you have a very oily scalp and hair, or if you exercise heavily/ sweat a lot, it is advisable to wash daily with a mild shampoo.

For a very dry scalp, wash with shampoo should be only once a week or even less frequently.

Do not forget to condition your hair after shampooing for smoothness.

Remember: shampooing is for the scalp and conditioning is for the hair. BUT: if you use a lot of products on your hair, like gels or serums or setting sprays etc, it is important to wash your hair well with a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month at least.

After wash care

To avoid frizz: Do not dry your hair vigorously with rough towels. Gently towel dry with a soft absorbent towel. If you have dry, curly hair, wrap it in an incredibly absorbent towel, such as a microfibre towel, and avoid rubbing it.

Detangle and then comb out when hair is still damp. For very dry or curly hair apply a leave-in conditioner before detangling or combing.

Applying a few drops of coconut oil to the hair (not the scalp) after washing will add shine to the hair.

Excessive use of blow dryers/ hot irons will damage your hair and cause breakages and split ends. Never use a straightening iron on wet hair, it causes bubble hairs.

Do not tie up wet hair, as it can lead to piedra (a fungal infection of the hair shaft). Wait for the hair to dry completely before you tie it up.

When going out

When traveling long distances in open vehicles (buses trains cars with open windows, or two-wheelers), it is advisable to cover your head with a scarf or shawl, to prevent wear and tear.

It is also ideal to cover your hair when going to the beach/ being in intense sunlight for prolonged periods

Do not pull back hair tightly; it can cause traction alopecia, a condition where the front hairline gradually moves backward.

When sleeping

Sleeping on Satin pillows or using satin caps will help lessen wear and tear when sleeping.

Long hair should be loosely tied up on top of your head to prevent damage to loose ends of the hair

Diet and lifestyle

A properly balanced diet including good amounts of protein (animal and plant proteins if possible) and vitamins and minerals (green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, and fruits) is essential to maintain good hair health.

A good, restful sleep of around 7 to 8 hours every day is essential for your overall health and in turn, hair health.

The importance of regular exercise should never be forgotten

Smoking can cause early hair loss.

Investing time and care into your hair care will not only enhance its health and appearance but also boost your confidence, allowing you to embrace your natural beauty with every strand.

More tips for healthy hair

Maintaining healthy hair involves a combination of proper care practices, a balanced diet, and using the right products. Here are some tips for healthy hair:

• Balanced diet:

  Consume a diet rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamins A, B, C, D, E, zinc, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, while adequate protein intake is essential to maintain constant hair growth.

• Hydration:

  Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated and healthy.

• Washing hair:

  According to hair types, patients with oily scalps should wash their hair daily while people having dry/chemically treated hair should wash hair less frequently.

• Shampoo and conditioner:

  concentrate shampoo primarily on the scalp while conditioner should be used along the lengths of the hair, ideally with every wash.

• Protect hair from damage from natural elements:

  • Wear a tight swimming cap while swimming which will protect the hair from the damaging effects of chlorine water, which should be followed by rinsing and washing hair post-swimming.
  • Drying your hair: wrap your hair in a towel to absorb water instead of rubbing, and air dry if possible. The dryer should be used in the lowest heat setting and limit the time a hot comb/curling iron touches your hair.
  • Sun protection of hair: Avoid peak hours: 10 am to 3 pm and wear a wide-brimmed hat to cover the hair.

• Styling your hair:

  • Men should prefer hairstyles that don’t need long-lasting holding gels as styling products.
  • Women should style their hair loosely, tight hairstyles like ponytail and braiding should be avoided which pulls on the hair. Covered rubber bands should be preferred.
  • People who have straight hairs should comb their hair when dry, while curly hair person should comb when the hair is damp.
  • Brushing and combing the hair numerous times a day is a myth and hair should be combed and styled only while going out.
  • Removing tangles from hair should be done gently, using a moisturizing conditioner if necessary.
  • To avoid chemical treatments e.g., hair straightening, bleaching/ hair coloring procedures, and perming that weakens the hair shaft. If you do, use them, and ensure proper aftercare.
  • Regular trims in 4-8 weeks to avoid split ends.

• Hair care products:

  Products like leave in conditioners which contains zinc oxide and SPF containing powders are advised to protect our hair from environmental elements.

• Sleep care:

  To ensure 6 to 8 hours of sleep daily. Use silk or satin pillowcases to reduce friction and prevent breakage while sleeping.

• When to consult a dermatologist:

  Your hair care may not be the root cause of your problem. Seeing a dermatologist is especially important if you’re concerned about thinning hair or hair loss, most causes can be stopped or treated, the sooner, the problem is addressed the better are your results.

Disclaimer: This article is only for general patient information and is not intended for self medication. There is no legal liability of IADVL arising out of any adverse consequence to the patient. Subsequent to its use for self treatment of the disease images adjust for the depiction of the condition and is not to be used for any other purpose.